I thought it would be funny. Silence, the sound of not hearing my opinion, getting shout outs or feeling the #LivingSugarFree love oozing from the other side of the world (as in before the Internet).

I was 35 in 2007 when I set out to build a brand online. Before that I had only done desktop publishing, worked with company clouds and communicated with tech savvy friends via chat. Bankers were not encouraged to use the Internet for business beyond research. Even as an Army Public Affairs Specialist my work was within only the Intranet.

Now a simple light hearted post has turned into a blog. Because as a researcher I had to document the experience. I make a point of not having a mobile phone surgically attached to me, so I am perhap...

We like these in ground time too. How we live offline is how we live online... to a certain extent. This is an offline graphic from my nephews folder. Pondering the humor in that folks think everything is a #SocialMedia trend. Humans do the same things #online that they do in #groundtime. When you do something in ground time and no one knows; you magnify by posting online. If a tree falls in the forest and no one heard it, don't post it on Facebook if you don't want it magnified and exploited. Furthermore Facebook does not have a 911 feature. When posting, chances that you will reach a paramedic, fireman, police officer or life coach are slim to none. If you're posting to Facebook instead of dialing 911, the ER or your therapist, ...

There are a lot of folks in Georgia who are quietly connected on line; always asking someone like me questions via email and text. Yet never fully embracing all that you can do with your technology. This announcement is for you: I'm doing a computer series in South Georgia for the community recreation center and it's very affordable. Now that I am posting this, it will fill up so hurry. Don't put off your promotion any longer. If you need help with Excel, or Word to get that job; cloud apps for your business; finishing your education or improving your online brand or social skills, you need to register for this class. Learn the basics that will help you navigate and succeed in any technical situation. The five week class begins tomorrow,...

Do your research and be creative when you are ready to launch your brand. Don't try to ride on existing traffic, influence and people who are using generic concepts. Lawsuits are rampant and it shows a lack of integrity, ingenuity and true social entrepreneurship to try and sue an individual or business for using a term that is owned by the public... Especially when it's obvious that people were using that term long before you decided to jump into the world of business. It makes you look inexperienced and desperate. I would not trust my business to a company that does that, would you? We've been using this term since I can remember. I'm sure I can find older references, but this is the one that popped up first.

Maybe you are a technical genius or maybe you just have Cadillac taste and Volkswagen money when it comes to making your technology, Ecommerce and Online dreams come true. So even if you were the coolest kid in school or you flunked computer science, you may have found yourself more in the category of geek than not because of your needs and because of how easy it is not to do it yourself... to a certain extent. You've heard of Klout, Kred and PeerIndex; and if not than you are a little behind; but anyway meet Geekli. It's in private BETA now and if you are reading this blog then all you have to do is let me know you want an invite. I am limiting the invites because many people are complaining about watered down votes an...

Have You Been Hacked Yet?

I'd like to think the reason I've never been hacked on FB or via email is because I'm so smart. But actually there are some simple steps you can follow to lessen your chances of exposing your friends to dangerous sites, bogus information and fraudulent offers.

Have you changed your password recently? Do it now.

Do you use the same password across various websites? Change your email password so it's different.

Is your password complex (letters, symbols and numbers)? Fix it.

Do your browse FB securely? Start doing so. Even if you take it off for an app, put it back.

Have you ever even visited the security section under account settings? No time like the present.No gift, product, opportunity or service is bestowed without the burden of responsibility. Consumer, user and social responsibility are implied contracts of use. When you have a checking account it is assumed you won't participate in fraud, or your account will be closed even if you weren't the culprit. When you own a swimming pool it is assumed you will have boundaries so neighborhood children will not fall in and drown. If you do not protect your neighbors you will be sued and you will be held liable. Likewise when you are on the Internet, creating profiles and adding friends there is a psychological contract that you enter into. It is understood that you will not conduct fraudulent activity nor will you make it easier for others to do so through you. It only takes a moment to vet a new friend, or find out about a site before you share your personal information and download links. Maintaining Facebook privacy is not something that takes a lot of effort. Visit your profiles, clean up your accounts and delete phony profiles from your friend list. Remember only you can prevent Internet Terrorism.

I was going to comment on this article, but then I realized I had too much to say... I studied Marketing in undergraduate school and am now studying Psychology. The article is very informative and accurate; however it is limiting. Marketing is only one aspect of business and Social Media is only one aspect of Marketing. A good business strategy must include these elements and many others, working together to achieve the mission and vision of the business. The bottom line is not achieved only by one division but by them all collaborating and sharing information and resources. I have seen and heard a lot of really negative conversation about the worthlessness of online reporting sites, and social media as a whole for small businesses. Trans...

Am I the only one who knows that Orsiso was first in the circles game not Google or Facebook? Don't remember Orsiso? Click the link to read about the awesome social circle app and it's founder Thorben Linneberg. http://sgentrepreneurs.com/interviews/2009/04/09/in-conversations-with-thorben-linneberg-orsiso-aureliant/.

A few days ago I posted a random question across the web, wondering why Orsiso was no longer available, who bought it and if anyone else thought Google had copied. I was shocked and honored to receive a response this morning from Thorben, Orsisos founder and CEO, with the link. Today, Orsiso announced it has been aquired by SingTel. Congratulations Orsiso, Thorbin...and especially Google for not getting sued. Click the follow...

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet? Well I don't know about that when it comes to Internet browsers. This is one of those things that you may have always taken for granted would just be there, like highways. But recently the Internet browser war has started to impact the user. You go to sign up for some great new program or application and you can't access it because you aren't using the right browser. So what do you do? You go without it if you are a person who doesn't get into all this techie stuff. If you are an application-head then you probably have Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox all on your computer. I draw the line at two. I'm all for open source, but kind of like the mechanic in the parking lot of the grocery store...

It's funny to me when someone asks me how I got so many followers on Twitter. Of course "so many" is relative, considering some tweeters have over a million followers. To me I have a lot of followers considering I have focused on quality over quantity connections on Twitter. I don't follow everyone back, therefore I lose two for every one follower I get daily. I look for interesting qualities and activity when following back peeps that I don't know or haven't met in person. But I digress...the question was how did I get so many followers? When I am asked this question I look at their Twitter profile to see if there is anything specific I can advise and I notice that the person who asked is not following me back. The first rule o...

If you’ve been following The Social Entrepreneur or TXNL since the beginning then you may remember my warning in 2008 to watch out for Microsoft and where they were going with social media.

We have had to learn some web 2.0, html, css, widgetology, feedology, linkology, SEO, and API in order to make social ends meet over the past few years but those days are coming to a close thanks to companies like Microsoft and Google who recognize the demand of social media and micro blogging. Now instead of jumping from site to site and adding extra code to tweet a blog. You can pretty much link all your sites together and post one time.

Volunteer opportunities available through Better Me, Inc. and The Xstream Network Live (TXNL). This is an executive membership organization for social entrepreneurs and community leaders. The vision is to improve communities, businesses and lifestyles one solution at a time. Find out more by visiting us online.

#TXNLExecs

At Better Me, Inc. we are improving communities, businesses and lifestyles one solution at a time. The Xstream Network Live (TXNL) is the membership of Better Me, Inc. and TXNLExecs are socia entrepreneurs who are leading the way. Please contact Simply Denise, Membership Director and her team to apply and begin planning how you can help by being the change.

Partners

As the founder of Better Me, Inc. and The Xstream Network Live (TXNL), Andrea Raquel supports, mentors, and partners with all TXNLExecs to create solutions to the issues common to social entrepreneurs, leaders, ministers, celebrities, and other unique moguls. Meet the team and let us know how we can help, or how you'd like to partner with us to improve your community, business or lifestyle. Together we are the solution.

Andrea Raquel is a talk show and event host, brand ambassador, spokes model, voice actor and public speaker. Andrea is available by appointment only for approved requests. For booking please submit the contact us form and let us know about your specific request. A representative will get back with you as soon as possible to discuss your needs and offer a quote or to help you with advertising opportunities. To watch weekly shows check the schedule and rsvp if you'd like to participate or purchase sponsor packs here.

Certification

For Large Groups:

Please submit a request to have Andrea Raquel speak at your event. Bookings are decided case by case. Contact Marketing dept for more information and to book your date.

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To have a team training you can book a certified #LivingSugarFree Coach. Please fill out a contact request for online webinars or in person group classes at our location or yours.

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